Around the Industry

A Jiffy Lube in Sudbury, Ontario, was left in pieces after an SUV crashed through the building Thursday, January 24. Sudbury police, fire and paramedic crews were called to the scene. According to sudbury.com, the driver needed help getting out of the vehicle but was not injured. No other injuries were reported at the time.

The building, located on The Kingsway at Bancroft Drive, sustained significant damage, and the cause of the accident is under investigation. Back to Top

Car Care Council Now International Organization

The Car Care Council recently announced an agreement with the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) and the Asociación Nacional de Representantes, Importadores y Distribuidores de Refacciones y Accesorios para Automóviles, A.C. (ARIDRA) to create Car Care Council North America to direct the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Car Care Council North America builds on the positive reputation and image of the current Car Care Council, that has been funded and directed by the Auto Care Association for nearly 20 years as a credible source of information about the benefits of vehicle maintenance, care and repair,” said Rich White, Car Care Council executive director.

“As everyone working in the global auto care industry knows, proper vehicle maintenance is a universal issue and a challenge that has no borders. Expanding the Car Care Council initiatives in Canada and Mexico is a logical next step in educating consumers about the benefits of regular vehicle upkeep,” said Bill Hanvey, Auto Care Association president and CEO. “We are thrilled to reinforce our association’s ongoing partnerships with AIA Canada and ARIDRA.”

“The North American automotive aftermarket industry is more connected than ever before,” said Jean-François Champagne, president, AIA Canada. “Establishing the CCCNA as an organization that reaches across borders to provide extensive consumer education on vehicle care and maintenance in all three countries together is a clear reflection of that interconnectivity. AIA Canada is proud to be a part of this initiative.”

“The creation of the expanded council seeks the unification of services in the United States, Canada and Mexico to ensure that vehicles have preventive and not corrective maintenance. We intend to create consumer awareness to keep the vehicles in optimal condition,” said Alejandro Calderón, ARIDRA president. “For ARIDRA, it is an honor to join Car Care Council North America, which will surely help reduce accidents and increase vehicle passenger safety.”

AIA Canada is the national trade association that brings together the entire automotive aftermarket supply and service chain. AIA’s mandate is to promote, educate and represent members in areas that impact the growth and prosperity of the industry.

ARIDRA is a civil association based in Mexico City, which includes manufacturers, representatives, importers and distributors of automobile spare parts and accessories. Founded in 1943, it represents the image of the aftermarket in Mexico. It has been acting on behalf of its members for 75 years on matters of common interest to help its strategic development and improving their business environment. ARIDRA currently has 151 members in Mexico.

The key goals of Car Care Council North America (CCCNA) include:

• Substantially increasing the number of consumers reached with information about proper vehicle care and maintenance on behalf of the three associations’ respective members and industries as a whole.
• Structuring CCCNA to ensure a level of autonomy to accommodate country-specific cultural, language and other unique needs for each of the U.S., Canada and Mexico organizations, while centralizing the organization under the umbrella of the current U.S. Car Care Council to leverage economies of scale.
• Creating an advisory group with representatives from each association to help guide CCCNA to ensure that the needs of their respective members, motoring public and industries are being met.
• Launching a central easy-to-navigate web portal where consumers, industry professionals and the media can locate and download car care content in English, Spanish and French from each of the U.S., Canada and Mexico websites.
• Increasing the number of service and repair businesses throughout North America participating in the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign by providing them access to communications materials, marketing tools and other helpful resources.

Advance Auto Parts Announces Partnership with The Midwest Auto Care Alliance

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. recently announced a supply partnership with the Midwest Auto Care Alliance (MWACA) to provide automotive parts and training support to its member facilities.

The newly formed MWACA, formerly known as ASA Midwest, is a nonprofit association led by independent shop owners. MWACA focuses on offering its members programs and benefits designed to help them more effectively run their businesses, such as online resources and training, a mentor program and an Advance Auto Parts rebate program.

“MWACA has been a strong supporter of Advance Professional for many years and is well known for its outstanding advocacy of independent automotive repair facilities,” said Todd Sanders, senior vice president, Professional Sales at Advance. “We look forward to continuing to enhance our already strong and productive partnership with MWACA, its members and its leadership team. We are eager to help its members through excellent service and programs designed to improve shop performance and profitability.”

Advance, a Platinum partner of MWACA, also announced a new mentorship and apprenticeship initiative designed to attract and support new technicians in the automotive service industry. The initiative will identify internal shop trainers and provide a structured on-the-job curriculum to improve technician knowledge and focus on productivity enhancements.

“The support of Advance Professional and Carquest goes back more than a quarter of a century to the earliest days of the VISION event,” said Sheri Hamilton, executive director of MWACA. “They continue to support the association, its events and members as we work together to support shop owners in this ever-changing industry. We are proud and thankful to take our partnership to the next level.” Back to Top

Technician Saves Woman With CPR He Learned From Watching “The Office”

Scott broke into the car, checked the woman’s pulse and didn’t seem to find one. So, he reclined her seat back and performed CPR.

“I’ve never prepared myself for CPR in my life. I had no idea what I was doing,” Scott told the Arizona Daily Star.

Because he had “never prepared” for this type of situation, that’s when an episode of “The Office” popped into his head. In the episode, “Stress Relief: Part 1” Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) sings the Bee Gees song, “Stayin’ Alive” while doing chest compressions on a dummy, in front of the entire office, so everyone could learn the art of CPR.

One factual part highly noted about the episode, as reported by popculture.tv, is how “Stayin’ Alive” has the perfect tempo to use as an example of how fast to press on a person’s chest.

After a minute of chest compressions, the woman took her first breath, threw up and was then rolled on her side. That’s when the paramedics showed up — about 10 minutes after Scott initially pulled over to help the woman, popculture.tv reported.

Courtney Slanaker is the executive director of the Red Cross of Southern Arizona chapter and told popculture.tv that, “If you don’t do CPR, that victim will die. Don’t be afraid to act. Whatever you do will help that victim and hopefully prevent a death.” She also admitted that the song “Stayin’ Alive” is in fact a good beat to use when delivering CPR.

This isn’t the first time Scott has pulled over for someone on the side of the road, popculture.tv reported. With three years of experience at the auto shop and work experience that dates back to when he was 14, he mentioned how he usually helps stranded drivers at least once or twice a month. Back to Top

Grease Monkey Shop Donates $6,000 to Help Feed Children

Grease Monkey in Columbus, Georgia, gave a donation to an area academy to help feed children, WTVM 9 reported.

Grease Monkey presented a check for $6,000 to Truth Spring Academy, following a December fundraiser where the shop donated a portion of each oil change to the charity.

Truth Spring is a Christian-based academy that serves mostly children living in poverty. After the check presentation, the children enjoyed a hot breakfast with super heroes.

“To look at what this does for our organization, it helps us provide essential resources for our students to where they have the chance [to] enjoy a healthy and hardy [sic] meal and really spring forward in a successful school day,” Rob Strickland, director of Truth Spring Academy, told WTVM 9. Back to Top

New Text Program Informs Students of Available Scholarships

The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) has introduced a new text program for students, parents and instructors who would like to learn about automotive scholarship opportunities. Interested parties who text their name and email address to 720.903.2206 will receive an instant response providing introductory details about the UAF scholarship program.

“By making this new text alert program available, students can quickly show their interest in the many scholarship opportunities made available from the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and its donor partners,” said Danielle Sonnefeld, AAP, co-chair of the UAF Scholarship Committee. “We will be awarding hundreds of scholarships for the upcoming school year, and this new text program will help prospective candidates stay on track to submit their applications by the March 31 deadline.”

Scholarship applications are now being accepted at the Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Central website (www.automotivescholarships.com) for the 2019-20 academic year. Students attending a two-year or four-year college or university or a post-secondary vocational program, as well as high school seniors planning to attend college or vocational school, are welcome to apply. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2019.

“To sign up to receive text information and reminders about available automotive scholarships, just text your name and email address to 720.903.2206. It’s that easy,” Sonnefeld said. “You’ll receive a text reply and an email right away, directing you to the Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships Central website, plus periodic follow-up reminders about available scholarships and the application deadline.” Back to Top

Over $100,000 Goes to Toys for Tots

Fisher Auto Parts team members recently raised over $75,000 for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, plus an additional $25,000 was contributed to the charity in honor of Federated member Russell Mastroff who passed away on December 22. Many toys were also collected for the campaign.

“We would like to thank all the team members who participated in our Toys for Tots campaign by collecting donations to brighten the holiday season for less fortunate children in their respective communities,” said Gary Shifflett, co-president of Fisher Auto Parts. “We also want to thank our customers, channel partners and APSG members who supported Toys for Tots.”

In total, the Automotive Parts Services Group (APSG) raised over $400,000 and collected toys at its locations across the country last year. Since Federated initiated its Toys for Tots campaign in 2012, members, customers, vendor partners and associates have together raised over $2 million for the recognized charity and have been named a Three-Star Partner by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Back to Top

WD-40/SEMA Cares 1967 Camaro Gets Auctioned, Raises $165,000 For Charity

The WD-40/SEMA Cares 1967 Camaro raised $165,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 17, and the proceeds will benefit SEMA Cares and Childhelp, an organization that provides services to abused and neglected children.

WD-40 Company partnered with SEMA Cares, the charity arm of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, to build the vehicle, which was selected to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chevrolet Camaro and the SEMA Show in 2017.

The Camaro was re-built in the SEMA Garage — a state-of-the-art facility in Diamond Bar, California, that has high-tech tools and equipment for SEMA member businesses to use. The custom Camaro features a supercharged 6.2L LS3 E-Rod engine mated to a 4L65E four-speed transmission, an aftermarket full frame and a carbon fiber flat out rear spoiler. Additional upgrades include an Art Morrison chassis, a Corvette C6 suspension and a custom interior with the WD-40 brand logo stitched into the headrests.

“WD-40 Company is so proud of the SEMA Garage team’s work, and to be able to help make a difference through Childhelp” said Patricia Olsem, senior vice president and USA general manager at WD-40 Company. “To date, WD-40 Company has raised more than $990,0000 for SEMA Cares charities through auctioning custom vehicles.”

The SEMA Garage refurbished the classic Camaro with the help of the following leading specialty equipment manufacturers: GM Performance, Roadwire, Budnik Wheels, Art Morrison Ent., Strange Engineering, Vortech Superchargers, PCH Rods, Baer Brakes, New Port Engineering, Auto Custom Carpets, NRG, Classic Industries, Eibach Springs, Currie Enterprises, Inland Empire Driveline, Aeromotive, Fragola Performance, Design Engineering Inc., LGE-CTS Motorsports, PPG Industries, Roto-Fab, Advanced Flow Engineering, Magnaflow, Mishimoto, K&N Engineering, Lokar, Kindig It Design, Camaro Central, OPTIMA Batteries, BCR Motorsports, RetroSound, Pertronix and Nitto Tire. Back to Top

Garage Gurus Announces Automotive Technician Scholarship Program for 2019

Garage Gurus will award up to $30,000 in scholarships to future automotive technicians who are accepted or currently enrolled in accredited, U.S.-based automotive technical schools, colleges and universities, or enrolled full-time at a U.S. high school. This is the fifth consecutive year for the program, part of a comprehensive “Tech First” initiative, including the nationwide Garage Gurus network of technical education centers.

Applications are now available for the opportunity to receive one of 12 $2,500 Garage Gurus Automotive Technician Scholarships for the 2019-2020 school year. All materials must be submitted by April 29, 2019; winners will be announced on or about May 17, 2019.

In addition to the application, students are also required to submit two letters of recommendation from non-family members, as well as a typed essay or video indicating “Why I Want to Be a Top Technician.” All applications and related materials will be reviewed by Garage Gurus’ team of ASE Master-certified technicians and other employees.

“Through this program, we remain very committed to fostering the education of current and future technicians to perfect their skills and training, as well as to aid in addressing technician shortages throughout our industry,” said Brent Berman, director of Training and Consumer Experience, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “We have continued to support local vocational and technical school students and, along with our own Garage Gurus’ technical education centers, current technicians who want to be better-equipped to meet the challenges of working on today’s complicated vehicle systems.”

Offering onsite, online and on-demand instruction, Garage Gurus is a first-of-its-kind national training platform designed to help front-line automotive service professionals keep pace with the latest vehicle technologies. State-of-the-art Garage Gurus technical education centers are operational in 11 U.S. markets — Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Rancho Dominguez, California; South Florida; St. Louis; Suburban Detroit; and Van Nuys, California.

To learn more about the Automotive Technician Scholarship Program, to submit an application and to read the full set of rules and eligibility requirements, visit: www.fmgaragegurus.com/scholarship Back to Top

Mann+Hummel Earns CES Innovation Awards Honoree Status

At CES 2019 in Las Vegas, Mann+Hummel exhibited a range of digital filtration solutions, including Fine Dust Eater, a technology platform that earned CES 2019 Innovation Award Honoree status. Honored in the “Tech for a Better World” category, Fine Dust Eater tackles pollution caused by particulate matter.

With air pollution unusually high, many governments or city administrations in Europe impose driving bans. Pollution caused by particulate matter can be tackled by innovative filtration technology platforms like the Fine Dust Eater. A filter installed on the roof of the vehicle retains particulates from the ambient air. A brake dust particle filter fitted to the brake system is designed to minimize the release of brake dust to the environment. The vehicle occupants are additionally protected by a NOX fine dust combo filter. This combination can mitigate pollution effects and protect people.

Field testing with an experimental vehicle has taken place in Stuttgart, Germany, and the project has been expanded to other countries. Another part of the Fine Dust Eater technology platform, stationary filter cubes, are available for urban areas with high pollution. Equipped with fine dust particle filters and high-performance fans, these filter cubes actively remove fine dust from surrounding air. This technology is currently running as a two-year pilot project in Europe and is available to municipalities.

“By combining our Leadership in filtration with digitalization, we intend to provide innovations that make a visible difference for our customers,” said Charles Vaillant, Mann+Hummel CTO. “Filtration offers amazing product opportunities to improve air quality, protect human beings and maintain expensive assets running. We are not satisfied until our customers see significant improvements by using our products. This is what Mann+Hummel innovation is all about.”

The CES Innovation Awards are an annual program that celebrates outstanding design and recognizes honorees across 28 product categories. A panel of judges, including designers, engineers and members of the tech media, reviews submissions based on design, functionality, consumer appeal, engineering and how the products compare with competition.

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